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MMWR
Synopsis for May 26, 2000

MMWR articles are embargoed until 4 PM EST.

  1. Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking Among Secondary School Students — Budapest, Hungary, 1995 and 1999
  2. Costs of Smoking Among Active Duty Air Force Personnel — United States, 1997
  3. Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication — African Region, 1999–March 2000
 

MMWR
Synopsis for May 26, 2000

Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking Among Secondary School Students — Budapest, Hungary, 1995 and 1999

Laws preventing the illegal sales of cigarettes to minors were not enacted in Budapest until 1999.

PRESS CONTACT: 
Michael Eriksen, Sc.D.
CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
(770) 488–5493
(Alternate: Alyssa Easton, Ph.D., M.P.H., same phone number)
 
This factor combined with the lack of advertising restrictions, the distribution of free cigarette samples, small fines for advertising violations, and limited enforcement of existing regulations may have contributed to the high rates of smoking among Budapest youth. Prevalence of cigarette smoking among youth in Budapest, Hungary appears to be rising. A CDC study, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Institute of State Public Health and Public Health Officer Service, found that the prevalence of past month cigarette smoking among secondary students, aged 15-18, in Budapest, Hungary remains high ,and increased from an estimated 36 percent in 1995 to 46 percent in 1999. This is higher than the 36.4 percent of U.S. high school students who were past month cigarette smokers in 1997.

 

Costs of Smoking Among Active Duty Air Force Personnel — United States, 1997

The health consequences of smoking include preventable premature death and illness from heart disease, lung and other cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and nicotine addiction.

PRESS CONTACT:
Maj. Anthony Robbins, M.D.
U.S. Air Force Office of Prevention and Health Services Assessment

(210) 536–6509 (2709)
or
Terry Pechacek, Ph.D.
CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
(770) 488–5493
 
The findings in this article suggest that more effort is needed to prevent the adverse health effects and to reduce medical costs attributed to smoking among USAF personnel. Current smoking among active duty personnel (aged 17-64) has a substantial economic impact on the United States Air Force (USAF). A new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that medical care expenditures associated with smoking cost the USAF more than $107 million each year – approximately $20 million from medical care expenditures and $87 million from lost work time. The medical cost of smoking is estimated to be $50 to $73 billion annually in the United States.

 

 

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication — African Region, 1999–March 2000

Although substantial progress has been reported, poliovirus remains endemic in West and Central Africa, in the horn of Africa and especially in countries affected by civil conflict.

PRESS CONTACT:
Muireann Brennan, M.D., M.P.H.
CDC, National Immunization Program
(404) 639–8894
 
This report summarizes progress toward polio eradication in the African Region from 1999 through March 2000. Countries with intense circulation of wild poliovirus, including Nigeria, Angola, DR Congo and Chad, continue to export poliovirus to countries throughout west and central Africa, and pose a risk of delaying global polio eradication. The major challenges to polio eradication in the African region include assuring adequate quantities of oral polio vaccines for routine and supplemental immunization activities; filling the shortfall in funding for polio eradication; and gaining access to all children in countries affected by civil unrest and political instability.

 


 

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